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Childhelp: For the love of a child

Dr. Mona Khanna, Special to The Desert Sun
Published 10:04 a.m. PT March 11, 2017

The Childhelp Indian Wells Chapter topped its 2016 funds raised recently at its Pairings Party at the Toscana Country Club prior to its Golf Invitational at Porcupine Creek.

Raising close to $260,000 was no small feat, with supporters flying in from Arizona, Utah, North Dakota, Texas, Georgia, Hawaii, Minnesota, Northern California, Canada, South Carolina, Washington, and, of course, with most supporters from Southern California. More than 140 guests attended the party in support of helping victims of child abuse and neglect through prevention, intervention and treatment. Founders Yvonne Fedderson and Sara O'Meara were present as well.

Childhelp is an inpatient safe haven situated across 121 acres of beautiful scenery at the Childhelp Merv Griffin Village in Beaumont, California. It houses up to 84 children ranging in age from 6 to 15 years old. The children are referred by various judicial authorities and child welfare offices to heal through clinical therapy, art therapy, recreational therapy and animal-assisted therapy.

The event at Toscana showcased small touches of the important work that was being done at the Village that tugged at each guests' heart. First there were colorful handmade bracelet souvenirs at each place setting, along with a note from the child that had made it, such as "My name is Lisa...I am 11 years old. I am living at the Childhelp Merv Griffin Village in Beaumont, CA. I made this bracelet for you to thank you for attending tonight and giving me a safe place to live."

Then there were the four young girls who had won the Talent Contest at the Village. They danced their hearts out for guests at Toscana, showing the confidence that safety and security had provided them. More than 10-million children have developed this confidence, among other traits, through Childhelp.

Pam Thurston, Chapter President, thanked the participants, and encouraged everyone to continue their support to allow affected children the opportunity to grow, heal and develop.

The evening event launched the golf tournament the next day, which produced the following winners:

1st Place: John Barr,Monique Barr, Kay Hemingway, Ralph Hemingway

2nd place: Evan LaPointe, Rich Seolas, Rob Corcoran, Warren Osborn

3rd place: Jack Area, Jim Meeks, Dave Johnson, Dan Wimsatt

Longest drive for Men: Evan LaPointe

Longest drive for Women: Joanna Lin

Closest to the pin for men: Rob Corcoran

Closest to the pin for women: Lisa O'Hurley

The next event will be on St. Patrick's Day, March 17, 2017 at 8:00 p.m. at the McCallum Theatre's production of CHICAGO. Tickets are $200 and include an After Party at Jillian's with star John O'Hurley and the cast.
Childhelp information: Contact Judy Jensen at JJensen@Childhelp.org